Early American 22-Caliber Handguns by Erwin J. Hi , Jr.

It is with pleasure that I address you today, on the subject of Early American .22 Caliber Handguns. I think it appropriate to begin by reviewing with you, a brief history of how the -22 was developed, and what followed as a result. It is my belief that this cartridge alone revolutionized the firearms industry. When the rim-fire self-contained cartridge made its appearance in the mid-19th Century, it was really no novelty. French Soldiers used paper containers which held a powder charge only. The ball or projectile was carried separately. It was only a matter of time before ball and powder, or shot charge and powder, were combined grain bullet, propelled by a 2.6-grain black powder charge. in the same case. On April 17,1860,Smith and Wesson secured a joint M. Flobert, in about 1840, developed a small rim-fire patent on the rim-fire cartridge and held undisputed cartridge now known as a bullet breech cap. The original control of the metallic cartridge field for about 10 years. purpose of the BB cap was to allow the enthusiast to The little .22 was soon in great demand by officers practice indoors, with both rifle and pistol. There has been during the American Civil War, and to the populace, as a little or no change in the basic construction of this personal defense weapon, in , single shot, and cartridge. The body is punched out of sheet copper and pepper-box form. then drawn into a tube. The rim is then added, and filled In the New England states there were many gunsmiths, with a primer. The original primer, fully corrosive and machinists, and blacksmiths that had tried their hand in rather unstable, was pure fulminate of mercury. Ignition making firearms. This break-through of improvement of the charge was effected by trapping the rim between upon any ignition system that had previously been used the face of the barrel and the firing pin, or hammer. excited the imagination of all those who had a working Here in America, in 1852, Horace Smith and Daniel knowledge of fire-arms, and as a result, there sprang into Wesson founded a partnership in Norwich, Connecticut, being, several who were quick to recognize the potential which was ultimately to become world-famous as Smith of this improvement. This caused Smith and Wesson, and Wesson of handgun fame. Some sixteen years earlier, through Rollin White, (in the agreement on the purchase four years before M. Flobert had invented his rim-fire of his patent of the bored-through cylinder) to take steps cartridge, Colonel had brought out his to protect the patent from infringement by others. famous revolver and so thoroughly did he cover his patent In 1861 Rollin White and Smith & Wesson brought suit that it was virtually impossible for anyone to make a in Federal District Court in New York against Herman revolving firearm, handgun or carbine, legally. Naturally Boker for selling breech-loading made by the many gunmakers were anxious to make a repeating Manhattan Fire Arms Manufacturing Co. The case was weapon which would not infringe upon Colt's patents, settled in favor of Rollin White in 1862. Other litigation and Smith and Wesson began to develop a system involving the April 3,1855, patent was carried on almost tc invented by a Mr. Jennings. the time it expired on April 3,1869. In this system the ammunition (consisting of a hollow After the 1862 decision against Manhattan, several othel lead bullet with a black powder propelling charge) was companies came to terms. Among these were Bacon carried in a tube magazine under the barrel and fed into Manufacturing Co., of Norwich, Conn., Moore's patent the chamber by a trigger guard lever, but the cartridge was Firearms Co., of Brooklyn, N. Y., Lucius W. Pond, of inefficient and doomed the weapon. In despair and Worcester, and James Warner of Springfield, Mass. contemplating having to wait until Colt's patent expired, L. W. Pond, losing his decision in court, did not Smith and Wesson took up the .22 rim-fire. They planned discontinue his manufacturing of revolvers. He, instead, to use this caliber in a weapon with a bored-through looked for a way to circumvent the patent rights held by cylinder. Strangely enough, Colt had never thought of this Smith and Wesson, and in doing so, produced from 1863 contingency: all his weapons were loaded from the front to about the end of the Civil War, an unusual fire-arm of the chamber which was solid at the rear. However, in known as the "Pond Front Loader". This piece consists of 1855, Rollin White had forestalled Smith and Wesson and sleeves (7 in number) which accept a cartridge loaded at secured a patent on the bored-through cylinder. A deal the back of each sleeve. The sleeves, along with the was concluded between the parties and two years later, in cartridges, were then inserted in chambers at the front of 1857, Smith and Wesson made their first .22 rim-fire the cylinder. The back of the cylinder, being solid (with repeating revolver, using all metal cartridges. This the exception of slots milled into each chamber, allowing ammunition was an improvement on Flobert's BB caps the nose of the hammer to come in contact with the head and was virtually the modern .22 short. of the cartridge) also acted as the breech. There is also a The original .22 Smith and Wesson cartridge shot a 30- notch between two chambers on which the nose of the

Reprinted from the American Society of Arms Collectors Bulletin 34:18-30 Additional articles available at http://americansocietyofarmscollectors.org/resources/articles/ igure I-A. L. W.Pond revolver, disassembled (Author's collection). Figure 1-B, L. W.Pond -Assembled showing cartridge being ejected from sleeve. Author's Collection. hammer rests, to act as a safety. The cylinder can not be sleeve. turned until the hammer is drawn back. The cylinder pin The Pond shows a high degree of planning and is a well- has, as an integral part, a rod used for the purpose of made piece. It is difficult to find with all the original parts, ejecting the spent shell, and works in the following especially the sleeves, cylinder pin and ejector, which manner: the pin has two indentations, one for indexing the were easily misplaced or lost through negligence. Perhaps pin when the piece is loaded ready to fire. In this position, if one can imagine the frustration in loading and reloading the ejector rod hangs below the barrel. To eject the spent the revolver, particularly if under duress, parts could have shells from the sleeves, it is necessary to press the cylinder been left behind during a hasty retreat. pin release button, located at the right side of the frame. On his cessation of producing firearms, L. W. Pond, This activates a plate, located and recessed in the left side being a machinist, returned to tool and die making. of the frame, releasing a pin attached at the top and inside In the State of Maine, in the County of Waldo, there is a of the plate, this allows the cylinder pin and ejector rod to small town named South Montville, where on August 5, be rotated approximately !h turn to the left. The cylinder 1832,a set of twins were born. One was named Thomas pin and rod are then held securely by the second index, Jefferson, the other Andrew Jackson, their parents being and brings the ejector rod in alignment with a sleeve in the William C. and Jemima Peavey. Both Thomas and Andrev cylinder. The sleeves at their front have a slightly raised apprenticed and became blacksmiths. They were listed in knurled end. By using the thumbnail, or a suitable the 1856 business directory as being engaged in that instrument, they can be brought forward onto the rod profession. Many blacksmiths of that era, through their thereby forcing the spent shell from the sleeve. ingenuity and inquisitive minds, loved to experiment with Figure 1-A, shows the piece broken down with its guns, knives and whatever suited their fancy. Andrew's component parts arranged beginning with: A -Main choosing evidently leaned toward firearms, for on frame of revolver. B -Cylinder pin and ejector rod, (note September 5,1865,he was awarded a patent entitled the indentations for indexing). C -Cylinder with a view "Improvement in Combined Pocket-Knife and Pistol"; Fig looking down at its front, showing the chambers with the 2-A shows a copy of this patent #49-784. Take note that slots at the rear of each chamber, as described above. D - this pa/rticular piece is a percussion device. In Fig. 1of the The sleeves, the upper-most laying on its side with a drawing, the letter (H) denotes the hammer. When cartridge half inserted at its rear. The other six positioned triggered, one can see that it comes in contact with a around and outside their respective chambers within the , shown positioned at the butt end, or the cylinder. back and top end of the knife handle. Figure 1-B, shows the piece assembled: note the cylinder Four months later on January 13,1866, A. J. Peavey (C) with the slots showing at its rear to accept the nose of petitioned the "Commissioner of Patents of the United the hammer. The knurled end of the sleeves protrude at States of America" for a patent on a "New and Improved the front of the cylinder when fully seated. The cylinder Combined Pistol and Knife". The petition was received in pin (B) is shown rotated !h turn and a sleeve brought forth the patent office on January 27,1866. The following is a on the ejector rod with a spent shell being forced from the direct quote from page 1, of that petition. A. J. PEAVEY. Knlfe and Pistol Patented Spt. 6, 1666

Witnesses: Inventor:

'igure Z-A. A. J. Peavey Paten t #49-784. "To all whom it may concern. Be it known, that I, A. J. therein or removed therefrom, as the case may be, which Peavey of South Montville, Waldo County, Maine, have barrel when swung down and into place within the knife- invented a new and improved 'Combined-Pistoland handle is there firmly held by means of a spring catch Knife', and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, properly arranged therefore, by releasing which spring clear, and exact description of the same, reference being catch the barrel is free to be swung up as above had to the annexed drawing, making a part of this explained". specification. This would indicate that Peavey, after receiving his "The present invention relates to a combined knife and patent of 1865, did not produce the percussion knife and pistol, invented and patented by me on the Fifth day of pistol, but went to work almost immediately on the latter, September A.D. 1865, and it principally consists in so that being the cartridge model described in his petition. hanging or arranging the barrel of the pistol portion of the This writer has never seen, nor knows of anyone who has combined Knife and Pistol, within the knife blade casing encountered, the percussion model. H. Gordon Frost, in or handle, that its breech end can be swung up and out of his book entitled Blades and Barrels, states: "While none the same, to allow a metallic cartridge to be inserted of Peavey's percussion knife-pistols have been

Figure 2-B. A. J. Peavey Patent #53473 encountered by this author in over twenty years it from the hammer blade, which remains in the cocked searching, there are specimens of his .22 caliber rimfire position. This allows the plate to be rotated up and knife-pistol which are nearly identical, from an external forward as seen in Fig. 2-E, (Note the ejector nose at the appearance, to the percussion patent drawings". forward end of the plate). When seating the cartridge in Peavey was granted his request for the new and the chamber, the ejector nose preceeds the inside rim. The improved cartridge model on March 27,1866; Fig. 2-B plate is then rotated to align the notch at its rear with those shows this patent #53473. Fig. 2-C shows the piece, serial in the breech, this also brings the wedge of the plate to rest #452, with the knife blade opened and the barrel in its against the outside rim of the cartridge. Fig. 2-F shows the raised position, the hammer blade and trigger that holds plate in a position that the wedge may be seen. The notch the hammer in its cocked position as in Fig. 2-D when the in the plate is larger than those in the breech of the barrel, barrel has been seated within the handle of the knife this allows (when the breech is seated in the knife handle casing, ready for firing. and held there by a spring catch) enough play that its top Returning for a moment to Fig. 2-B, note the hammer (H) rear portion extends slightly above the top of the breech, in the patent drawing. It consists of a hook shaped end, being held there by the wedge resting against the outside and in the 9th paragraph of Peavey's specifications he rim of the cartridge. When the hammer blade is triggered states: "(H) is the hammer of the pistol made of a hook it slams down, the stepped end striking the rear portion of shape and hung at the front end of the barrel upon the the plate, driving the wedge into the rim of the cartridge pivot (A) of the knife-handle, which hammer extends discharging the piece. When ejecting the spent shell the toward the breech end of the barrel, through a slot (C) of plate is rotated again, the ejector nose coming in contact suitable shape of the breech piece (0) of the knife-handle, with the inside rim of the shell, causes it to be brought to the metallic cartridge in the barrel, against which it is from the chamber. The piece is then ready to reload. held and when swung up or "Cocked" brought to bear The Peavey knife pistol served a three-fold purpose. It with sufficient force to explode its fulminate, by a bent could be used as a defense weapon, or as an alarm against spring (I) fixed at one end to the upper side of the pistol- instruders. By securing the piece with the knife blade near barrel and at its other resting upon the arm (J) of the under a window or door, a cord is attached to a hole in the side of the hammer (H)". trigger and brought through an opening in the butt of the Of the few specimens examined, and photographs of the handle, the cord is then attached to the window or door. If piece found in various books, this hook shape is not either is opened it triggered the pistol sounding a report, evident. There is instead, as seen in Fig. 2-D, a stepped hopefully, frightening the intruder and alerting the end. occupant of the room of impending danger. Or, if one had A plate located in the breech serves as a wedge and nothing to do, he could whittle his time away. ejector, which pivots off center on a pin. When loading the The piece is signed on the left side of the hammer blade knife pistol it is necessary to depress the barrel separating in two lines. The top line reads: A. J. Peavey. The second

Figure 2-C. Peavey knifepistol serial #452, knife blade open, barrel in raised 'position.(Author's Collection). Figure 2-D. Peavey knifepistol, barrel seated in knife handle ready for firing. (Author's Collection). line reads: Pat. Sept 5,65 & Mar 27,66. Serial numbers granted as Joint Patentee's a patent on "Improvement in appear in three places: (1)on the left side of the brass revolving Fire-Arms". The patent drawing #172-243 is handle near its butt (2) on the left side of the barrel near shown in Fig. 3-A. the breech (3) on the right side of the wedge and ejector This revolver was described in the specifications as plate. being of novel construction in that the size of the implement is greatly reduced, while its effectiveness is How many of these unusual knife and pistol , combinations were manufactured is not known. They are increased. It was easily carried in the pocket, as it did not rarely seen for sale; the few surviving specimens are found have the stock or handle most commonly found in pistols only in collections of those who favor oddities and knife of this nature. It being also well known that most pistols, pistols. whether revolvers or otherwise, required cocking by an Peavey was listed for a number of years in Maine independent, or entirely different motion of the hand fron business directories as a blacksmith, following the that made in discharging the same. That is to say, the acquisition of his patents. However it is evident he did not hammer is drawn back and set by one movement and the lose his desire to create and manufacture firearms, trigger pulled by another. It was their contention that in especially those that were unusual, for on January 18,1876 their design, this revolver could be fired or discharged (some ten years after receiving the patent on his knife much more rapidly, as one had only to cradle it in the pistol) Edward P. Boardman and Andrew J. Peavey were palm with the end of the barrel resting on the second Figure 2-E. Wedge and ejector plate rotated in breech showing ejector Figure 2-F. Wedge and ejector plate rotated showing the wedge. nose.

Figure 2-G. Breech, wedge and ejector plate.

BOTTOFl VIEW

TOP V/EW OF A - B0.e~ BREPC~' a - BZE~H Of ~HL

TOP V/EU finger, the forefinger being placed around the "pull" and rosewood grips or other woods, mother of pearl, and being double action, five shots could be fired in quick ivory. The original hard rubber was easily broken, succession. The pull or stopple served a dual role: being cracked or chipped, and had to be replaced. Serial hinged, it could be folded down over the muzzle numbers appear on the front of the frame directly below preventing foreign substances from entering the barrel. the hole that holds the cylinder pin and under the barrel As to how it derived its name is mere speculation. But next to the frame. Fig. 3-B shows two examples of the little imagine, if you will, Boardman and Peavey discussing this gun, the uppermost serial # 374 with the original grips, the piece together, or perhaps showing it to a friend. In the lower serial #461 with rosewood. Two distinct conversation, the diminutive size being brought out, how differences also appear in these two. Note the cylinder pin compact for carrying it was, then someone exclaiming, release button on the top specimen, located on the right "Well! It's little all right!" In any event, the little revolver side of the frame. The bottom specimen on the left, which was tagged with that name, which also became its trade- also has a latch extending underneath its frame, which, mark. when released by pulling down, will allow the cylinder to Appearing on the right grip, (made of hard rubber, with rotate. Fig. 3-C shows serial #46l without the grips. The which they were regularly supplied) are words "All Right latch, hammer and main-spring are easily discernible. Fire Arms Co. Manufacturers, Lawrence, Mass. U.S.A." on Why these differences in the two is as yet unexplained, the left "Little All Right" Patented Jan'y 18,1876,running but it is hopeful that somewhere along the way, in the vertical to the name Little All Right are the words Trade collecting fraternity the reasons will emerge. Fig. 3-Dis a on one side and MARK on the other. These are the only copy of an original order blank of the All Right Fire Arms markings to be found on the piece, with the exception of Co., Lawrence, Mass. serial numbers. More often the revolver will be found with Again one wonders how many were manufactured and

Figure 3-A. Patent drawing #172-243 for a Boardman and Peavey revolver. E. P. BOARDMAN & A, J. PEAVEY. REVOLVINO FIRE-ARM. No, 172,243, P~ttnttdJan. 18. 1876. how long they (Boardman & Peavey) were in business partnership and discontinued production, but the date is together. In answer to the latter, on Feb. 19,1975,this unknown. It is vague as to what happened to Boardman. writer received a letter in response to the question, signed Andrew J. Peavey is thought to have returned to South by Katherine M. Gordon, Resident Director of the Montville, where his home still stands. He died at the age Andover Historical Society, Andover, Mass. Fig. 3-E is a of 65, in 1897,survived by his wife Julia I. Peavey who reproduction of that letter. From this answer and other died in 1928. Fig. 4, grave of Andrew J. Peavey and his wife information gathered, it is believed they dissolved their Julia I., Pine Grove Cemetery, South Montville, Maine.

Figure 3-8. Top: Little All Right serial #374 w/original grips. Bottom: Serial #461 w/rosewood. (Author's Collection). Figure 3-C. Serial #461, withoutgrjps. (Author's Collection).

7 ;r 1 1872. :1 z z 2&I TRs@yT!I'T gqg&E;1;,&7,qra @@, d dl 85 2 $21 LAWRENCE. MASS, U S. A. g, -.--.-- a '

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Figure 3-0. Copy oforiginal order blank. All Right Fire Arm Co., Lawrence, Mass., U.S.A., Courtesy Herschel Logan. y ta yaar -fry of Fob- 7, we ern eve ym vwUttla Urn as kwrmoe, bsocinrs&ta 5s a oity Mch &job&

'cr did, hc#rcvre~,emU the City Clerke@ aiiioa them. They eaald onlg ell ar *t awarding W the* d3xsatory of 1877, both &ad " a-n and Andm J, Pecrvq were ar~hin5at8, E. PIZ~~T~ordnu machine rhop at the earner .of Franklin adHathum Streets, he 1879 dirwtarg of hsinarsaes, they did not hive anything 11 or Mr. Tt i.~passibla that #ag wsra In hasilnese fa1 h~rttime enJ;p.

'igure 3-E. Copy letter. Courtesy Katherine M. Gordon, Andover Historical Society, Andover, Mass. 29 The Author greatly acknowledges the cooperation of the following Collectors and Historians Demeritt, Dwight D. Jr., N.Y. Sellers, Frank M., Denver, Colo. Suydam, Charles R., Covina, Calif. Logan, Herschel C., Santa Ana, Calif. Bibliography

(1) Demeritt, Dwight D. Jr., Maine Made Guns and Their Makers, J. S. McCarthy Co., Inc., Augusta, Maine 1973. Published for the Maine State Museum by Paul S. Plumer, Jr., Hallowell, Maine. (2) Arnold, Richard, The Book of the .22, A. S. Barnes and Co., N.Y. (3) Frost, Gordon H.,Blades and Barrels, Waloon Press, El Paso, Texas (4) Chapel, Charles Edward The Gun Collector's Handbook of Values, Coward, McCann & Geoghegan, Inc. New York. (5) Winant, Lewis, Firearms Curiosa, Bonanza Books, New York (6) Andover Historical Society, Andover, Mass. (7) General Service Administration, Washington, D.C.

Figure4. Grave of Andrew J.Peavey and wifeJulia I., courtesy Dwight D. Demeritt, Jr., N.Y.